UNION chiefs have demanded a university withdraw 10 compulsory redundancy notices to staff.

University College Union officials warned their dispute with Wrexham’s Glyndŵr University heads could escalate if they proceed to cut the jobs.

The two sides have been involved in a long running dispute after the educational institute announced in February it was looking to make 60 compulsory redundancies in a restructure.

UCU officials had said they would oppose any compulsory redundancies. Glyndŵr responded earlier last week saying this figure had been reduced to 10.

A UCU spokesman said: “Although the university states that the number of staff being made compulsorily redundant has reduced to 10, UCU believes that the university’s original staff reduction target of 60 has already been achieved with over 50 staff agreeing voluntary severance packages and other members of staff leaving the university to take up posts elsewhere.

“The university’s reputation has already been damaged by the restructuring process and loss of staff with the recent National Student Survey indicating that overall satisfaction at Glyndŵr has dropped by 4%.

“The university now has the lowest student satisfaction rate in Wales.”

The union claims additional redundancies will have a negative impact.

The spokesman added: “UCU advised the university that if compulsory redundancy notices were issued, the current dispute would be maintained and that it would escalate.

“This remains the Union’s position and we are requesting an immediate withdrawal of the redundancy notices.”

Last week a Glyndŵr University spokesman said: “ At the outset, the University’s Board of Governors and Vice Chancellor gave a commitment to explore all viable options for minimising or avoiding compulsory redundancies where possible.

“The University is satisfied that it has honoured that commitment and this is evidenced by the fact that the number of proposed compulsory redundancies has now been reduced to 10.

”Efforts to reduce further that number through alternative employment and voluntary severance continue in respect of those 10 roles.”